Archive of ‘I Digress’ category

Anyone happen to catch Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story on TNT? If you didn’t, you really missed out. And if you watched it, I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say that it was one of the most uplifting and inspiring films I’ve ever seen. Seriously, just watching it made me want to work harder and be a better person.

I don’t typically watch made-for-tv movies. But when I heard that Ben Carson’s autobiography, Gifted Hands, was being adapted for television, I got very excited. You see, Dr. Carson was the keynote speaker at my college graduation and he has one of the most amazing life stories…

Benjamin S. Carson Sr., M.D., had a childhood dream of becoming a physician. But he grew up in a single-parent home, with dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper and low self-esteem. While that appeared to preclude the realization of his dream, his mother, with only a third-grade education, challenged both of her sons to strive for excellence. Carson persevered and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for nearly a quarter of a century.

Carson’s career highlights include the first separation of craniopagus conjoined twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical craniopagus twins in 1997 in South Africa and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin.

Carson holds more than 50 honorary doctorate degrees. In 2001, Carson was named by CNN and Time as one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists. That same year, he was selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 Living Legends on the occasion of its 200th anniversary. He is also the recipient of the 2006 Spingarn Medal, the highest honor bestowed by the NAACP. In February 2008, Carson was presented with the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal by President Bush at the White House. And in June 2008, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the land. He has literally received hundreds of other awards during his distinguished career.

Gifted Hands was so good that I watched it twice – back to back. If you missed it or are just hearing about it, check the TNT schedule to see when you can catch a re-run. I highly recommend it…if Gifted Hands was a beauty product, it would be a ‘holy grail.’

So I’m at Macy’s, trying to get some separates for work and for Fashion Week, which is creeping up on my at an alarming speed. Anyway, I’ve got an armful of stylish possibilities and I’m in a good mood because there’s an awesome sale going down – and just as I walk into the fitting room, I hear a shriek behind me. “Ma’am…ma’am. Excuse me, ma’am…wait! How many items do you have there?!?!?”

I turn around to face the bane of my existence – the fitting room police. I told her I had seven pieces. Then she told me that Macy’s only allows six garments in the room, at a time. She further explained that I had to leave one garment on the rack outside of the changing rooms and that I must hang up everything after I was finished and place them on the aforementioned rack before exiting the fitting room.

Now, I realize that this is store protocol – but way to put me through the ringer, lady, when I only had one extra garment. And while I’m on the topic, I’m gonna tell you how I really feel…

I HATE THE FITTING ROOMS AT MACYS!!!

I’m sure that there are some very nice people who monitor the dressing rooms at Macy’s – but, unfortunately for me, the dressing room patrol at my local Macy’s stores are the evilest people ever. Everytime I’ve got an armful of clothes, they’re hawk-eyeing me…just waiting for me to make a break for the fitting room, so that they can unload their attitude on me.

And even when I only have a few pieces in my hands, once I get near the dressing room, I’m stopped and given a hard time. It’s gotten so bad and I’ve become so annoyed that I usually wait until the coast is clear and all salespeople are out of sight before making a beeline for the fitting room (while the Mission Impossible song runs through my head). But 75% of the time, I’m apprehended…and harrassed about hanging up my clothes when I’m done.

Instead of biting my tongue and smiling/nodding in agreement, one of these days I’m going to respond with something like this: “Mama Spoiled Pretty raised me right. I hang up my clothes and place them on the rack, without being asked. Not because you’re pestering me about it, but because I have manners. So remember my face and stop going all bridge troll on me everytime I’m in here. Thank you.”

I mean, dang. I only shop at two Macy’s. And the petites department is the size of a shoe box. You’d think they’d know me by now.

Is it so wrong to want to be left alone? I’ve got money to spend in your store and all I’m asking is to be allowed to enjoy the shopping experience without having some saleslady go all apesh*t on me.

So for all of you heffas who are trashing the fitting rooms like you’re some sorta rock star – and ruining the fun for the rest of us…well, quit it. Learn some manners, or I’m going to send Mama Spoiled Pretty after you.

The only thing I don’t hate about the Macy’s dressing room is the price checker thingy by the fitting room door. I actually love that. I love learning how much money I’m gonna save, without having to do math. Yay, price checker things!

New to Starbucks’ beverage lineup: the Espresso Truffle Latte. They’ve combined Starbucks espresso with the premium European-style cocoa blend used in their Signature Hot Chocolate and steamed milk, and topped it with whipped cream and a touch of chocolate powder.

It’s like your taste buds died and went to cocoa-covered heaven!

And if you’re one of those folks who lives at Starbucks (are you made of money?), here’s a tasty tidbit for ya…get the new Starbucks Gold Card – and for an annual membership fee of $25, you’ll enjoy the following perks:

* 10% off most purchases in participating U.S. Starbucks stores* A free drink when you purchase your membership in-store* A free beverage on your birthday* Exclusive offers and discounts throughout the year* Free Wi-Fi access (for up to 2 hours) each day in participatingStarbucks stores